Milk can



Feb. 7, 1939. w F PUNTE 2,146,226

MILK CAN Filed Jan. 7,1938

Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MILK CAN Application January 7, 1938, Serial No. 183,891

6 Claims.

The invention relatesto new and useful improvements in sheet metal containers and primarily seeks to provide a novel form of container adapted for the packaging of milk.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in the provision of a novel, inexpensively constructed milk container comprising a metallic body and bottom and a composite paper top secured by an edge-roll union with the body and including a normally sealed tear-out portion adapted to be partially removed to efiect a pouring opening through the paper top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel composite paper top composed of upper and lower layers preferably united by parafiin, the lower layer being of slightly larger diameter than the upper layer and rolled into a seam union with the metal edge of the can body, and the peripheral edge of the upper layer being yieldably retained beneath the roll of the seam, said layers being stapled together to form a hinge across the center of the top. The lower layer has a triangular weakened portion designed to form a pouring opening when displaced, and the upper layer has a scored, finger grip overlying and stapled to the lower layer triangle so that i when the finger grip is lifted it can be used to pull up the centrally hinged portion of the upper layer and with it the attached underlying triangle to form a pouring opening through the lower layer which can be again closed by lowering of said upper hinged layer portion.

With the above and other objects in view which will more fully appear, the nature of the '35 invention will be more clearlyunderstood by following the description, the appended claims, and

the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a plan view of a container embodying the invention; a

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section and part side elevation of the container shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the container showing the upper flap raised to form and expose a pourc open n v Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the flap structures in the normal, sealed condition, the section being taken on the line 4-4 on Fig. 1,

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sections similar to Fig. 4, and respectively illustrate the start and completion of the pouring opening flap lifting function.

My improved milk container includes a sheet metal body 5, and a sheet metal bottom closure 6 secured on the body in any approved manner, preferably by the usual double roll seam. The body may be formed in any approved manner and may include the usual lock and lap or other forms of side seam (not shown). Regardless of the particular form of side seam selected, the seam used in this container need not be soldered, and with the manufacture of the container thus simplified, costs are materially lessened.

A composite paper closure is provided at the remaining end of the container and includes an upper disk or layer 1 and a lower disk or layer 8, said layers preferably being united as a composite closure unit by an intervening layer or coating of paraflin or other suitable waterproofing and uniting wax 9.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawing that the lower disk 8 is of larger diameter than the upper disk, and the peripheral edge of the larger disk is secured by an edge-roll seam union ill with the can body. The peripheral edge of the smaller disk 1 is yieldably retained beneath the roll seam Ill as indicated at I I. (See Figs. 4 and 6.)

The upper and lower disks are stapled or stitched together across the diametrical center, as at l2. (See Figs. 3 and 6.) The upper disk I is provided with score or cut lines I3 which define a triangular finger lift tab l4 disposed with its base toward the periphery of the container and parallel the line in which the stitching I2 is located, said tab base being defined by a staple or stitch [5 which joins the upper layer 1 with the lower layer 8 at the position of the tab base. Beneath the tab [4, the lower layer or disk 8 is provided with a large triangular score line It, the base of the triangular area l1 formed by the weakened line being disposed in the line of the staples l2, and the apex of said triangle embracing the position of the tab M as shown in Fig. 1.

In manufacturing my improved can, the body 5 is formed in the usual manner land then the paper end closure 1, 8 is applied and edge-roll seam secured, as at Hi. In this condition the interior of the containers are sprayed or other wise internally coated with petroleum wax l8 so as to render the paper closure waterproof, to seal the solderless side seam of whatever type is employed and the juncture between the paper end closure and the can body, and to protect the milk to becontained in the containers from direct contact with the metal of the body 5. After the containers have been properly filled with milk,

the metal end closures 6 are applied in the usual manner.

One seeking to use the milk in one of these containers, first applies an instrument or the fingernail to lift the tab I4 as shown in Fig. 5. By now pulling on the tab [4, the tab carrying half of the upper layer 1 can be raised as shown in Fig. 6, the peripheral edge portion yielding from its normal frictional retention beneath the edge-roll seam l0. Upward movement of the upper disk half portion carries with it the triangular lower disk area I! and thus provides a pouring opening [9 through the lower disk 8, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. By again lowering the half portion of the upper layer 1 and causing the peripheral edge thereof to frictionally engage beneath the roll seam III, the pouring opening I9 can again be closed and sealed by the much larger overlying area of said half portion.

It will be apparent that modifications of the specific arrangement of the parts, and the construction of the paper end closure can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A container of the character described comprising a sheet metal body portion, and a nonmetallic top secured in edge-roll union with the body portion and including a pouring opening and a closure flap overlying the opening and yieldably retained in an opening sealing position by edge engagement with said edge-roll.

2. A container of the character described comprising a sheet metal body portion, and a composite non-metallic top composed of upper and lower layers and secured in edge-roll union with the body portion, said lower layer having a pouring opening formed therein, and said upper layer including a lift fiap portion of greater area than and overlying said opening with an edge portion thereof yieldably retained in theopening sealing position by engagement with said edge-roll.

3. A paper top for containers of the character described composed of upper and lower disks secured together across approximately the center thereof dividing the top into half portions, the lower disk in one half portion having an intended triangular pouring opening area defined therein by tear lines with the base of the triangle disposed substantially at said dividing center, the half portion of said upper disk overlying said defined area comprising a lifting fiap, and a finger tab forming a part of the fiap and secured to said defined area whereby when said flap is lifted by engagement with the tab said area will be torn out to form the pouring opening.

4. A container of the character described comprising a sheet metal body portion, and a paper top composed of upper and lower disks, the lower one of which is of greater diameter than the upper and secured by an edge-roll union to the body portion with the edges of the upper disk yieldably retained beneath said edge-roll, said disks being secured together across approximately the center thereof dividing the top into half portions, the lower disk in one half portion having an intended triangular pouring openingarea defined therein by tear lines with the base of the triangle disposed substantially at said dividing center, the half portion of said upper disk overlying said defined area comprising a lifting fiap, and a finger tab forming a part of the fiap and secured to said defined area whereby when said fiap is lifted by engagement with the tab, said area will be torn out to form the pouring opening.

5. A container of the character described comprising a sheet metal body portion, and a composite non-metallic top composed of upper and lower layers and secured in edge-roll union with the body portion, said lower layer having a pouring opening formed therein, and said upper layer including a lift fiap portion of greater area than and overlying said opening with an edge portion thereof yieldably retained in the opening sealing position by engagement with said edge-roll, a wax layer intervening said upper and lower top layers, and a wax coating over the Whole of the interior of said container including said top.

6. A container of the character described comprising a sheet metal body portion, and a paper top composed of upper and lower disks, the lower one of which is of greater diameter than the upper and secured .by an edge-roll union to the body portion with the edges of the upper disk yieldably retained beneath said edge-roll, said disks being secured together across approximately the center thereof dividing the top into half portions, the lower disk in one half portion having an intended triangular pouring opening area defined therein by tear lines with the base of the triangle disposed substantially at said dividing center, the half portion of. said upper disk overlying said defined area comprising a lifting fiap, a finger tab forming a part of the fiap and secured to said defined area whereby when said fiap is lifted by engagement with the tab, said area will be torn out to form the pouring opening, a wax layer intervening said disks, and a wax coating over the whole of the interior of said container including said top.

WILLIAM F. PUNTE. 

